Calzaghe inspiration behind Dragons' derby-day win

Dai Flanagan has revealed nan concealed inspiration down Dragons' singular last-gasp triumph complete Ospreys - boxing awesome Joe Calzaghe.

Head coach Flanagan invited nan erstwhile undefeated world champion to speak pinch his players during pre-season.

It was portion of a drawstring of motivational moves that besides saw World Cup winning All Black Sam Whitelock walk clip astatine Rodney Parade.

But it was section leader Calzaghe, who lived and trained 12 miles distant successful Newbridge, who proved decisive successful their injury-time 23-21 win connected nan opening weekend.

"We had Joe travel successful during nan summertime and we themed nan week astir him," said Flanagan.

"We wanted to return Ospreys to information 12 but I'm not judge we want to do that again because it pulls connected nan bosom strings going truthful late."

Luke Yendle, nan replacement prop, burrowed complete from adjacent scope successful nan 83rd infinitesimal to group up Luke Evans for nan match-wining conversion successful beforehand of nan posts. It was nan first clip Dragons had won their opening crippled of nan play since 2013.

"I'm conscionable truthful proud of nan boys. There was clarity and calmness successful nan last phase," said Flanagan.

"We've had that [last-minute scores] hap against america successful nan past but seldom for us. But now there's assurance that we tin do that."

Ospreys caput coach Toby Booth besides utilized a boxing affinity to picture really his squad managed to squander a 21-13 lead pinch conscionable 5 minutes remaining.

"We've had them connected nan canvas but we haven't knocked them out," he said.

"We were acold superior for astir of nan crippled but that doesn't matter if you're not superior connected nan scoreboard.

"Instead we've put our defender down and allowed them to get backmost up to travel storming backmost successful nan 15th round.

"We were dancing astir Muhammad Ali style and past sewage caught connected nan chin."